[Puppage]

I suppose the staggering number of kids now diagnosed with autism (of which true clinical ADHD is on the spectrum) is just society coddling kids and not spanking them and not getting them enough exercise and too much sugar?

What a ridiculous argument. Autism is a clearly diagnosable condition whereas hyperactivity is not, IMHO. How do you distinguish between a kid who's just overly active to one who truly is hyperactive?

Look, I am not saying that the drugs don't have a place, they do. However, I think people are too quick to say "wow, he's really active, he needs Ritalin."

Lastly, I have a curious mind, I want to see data on the long term affects of Ritalin on children. To my knowledge, there isn't any. Which should be of concern to all parents, yes?

[silverleaf]

How do you distinguish between a kid who's just overly active to one who truly is hyperactive?

Well, if you have about $2500 or great insurance, a full battery neuropsych eval would do .... for starters
Please don't call me "ridiculous" for stating that ADD/ADHD are on a spectrum of disorders that includes autism.
I've just had a heart to heart with another Mom who has raised over $2 million for autism research on behalf of one child, but still doesn't have answers for her other child's ADD/social dysfunction and other conditions.
"Autism" is in itself not easy to pigeonhole. Don't get me started on terms like "atypical" and "high function" and "low function" and "Institutional autism" and all the shades of gray on the spectrum of brain-related behavioral dysfunction
Been there